A Legacy in Prints and Empowerment

With a gift in his estate plan, South End resident Melvin Klayman will establish an endowed fund for the BPL’s Arts Department.

While he describes his collection of prints and drawings as a hobby, Melvin (Mel) Klayman was inspired by a deeper mission. “I’ve always believed in uplifting Boston’s artists,” he says. “It’s important to support local, up-and-coming talent, and that was a driving force for me when selecting pieces to own.”

Living in the Bay Village and South End neighborhoods, near Newbury Street’s vibrant art scene, he built a community of fellow collectors, gallery owners, and artists. Today his collection of more than 200 contemporary, abstract prints includes works by David Moore, Bill Flynn, Bud Turner, David X. Levine, and more.

This passion for championing local artists inspired Mel to name the Boston Public Library Fund (BPLF) in his estate plan, which will establish the Melvin Klayman Endowed Fund for Prints and Drawings. This fund will enable the Boston Public Library’s (BPL) arts department to expand its print collection, with the goal to acquire works by emerging Boston artists. He also plans to donate selected pieces to the BPL.

Much like his art collection, Mel’s decision to name the BPLF in his estate plan is a thoughtful one. His connection to the Library spans decades. It began when he was a summer intern stacking books in the Central Library; he later played a pivotal role in the IT department, where he established the Library’s first digital collections database. He was also a frequent patron, spending countless hours in the McKim Building’s third-floor reading room exploring his interest in printmaking.

“The Library has always been part of my world—a treasure—and knowing that we’ll uplift Boston’s artists for generations to come is truly meaningful to me,” he says.